Internet based home communications system

ABSTRACT

An Internet based home communications system for allowing a homeowner to monitor and control various features of their home from a distant location via a global computer network. The inventive system comprises a plurality of control devices positioned within a home, a control unit in communication with the plurality of control devices wherein the control unit is connected to a global computer network (i.e. Internet), and a data center having server computers connected to the global computer network and in communication with the control unit. The homeowner can view, monitor and control features of their home through the web page such as viewing interior images of their home or adjusting the thermostat for the interior of their home. In addition, the control unit may notify the appropriate supplier when propane or food becomes low within the home through the global computer network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to home monitoring systems andmore specifically it relates to an Internet based home communicationssystem for allowing a homeowner to monitor and control various featuresof their home from a distant location via a global computer network suchas the Internet.

Our society has become extremely mobile with the reduced expense andease of travel leaving many homes unattended while the homeowner istraveling or at work. Many homeowners hire “house sitters”, friends orneighbors to either monitor or stay at their home during their absenceto insure that the home is in the desired condition. Other homeownersare forced to abandon their home without any monitoring or control. Somehomeowners have more than one home, such as a summer home, and mustleave at least one of the homes unoccupied and unmonitored. Hence, thereis a need for a home monitoring system that allows a homeowner tomonitor their home from a distant location.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Home monitoring systems have been in use for years. Typically, a homemonitoring system is comprised of a security system that notifies thesecurity agency when there has been a breach of security within theresidence. The security agency may then call the homeowner at theirplace of work notifying them of the condition of their home.

However, conventional home monitoring systems do not allow the homeownerto monitor their home from a distant location. In addition, conventionalhome monitoring systems do not allow the homeowner to control theoperations of the home from a distant location. Many homeowners areforced to purchase the services of house sitters that can be expensiveand can significantly reduce the privacy most homeowners enjoy anddesire to protect.

While conventional home security systems may be suitable for monitoringburglary within a home, they are not as suitable for allowing ahomeowner to monitor and control various features of their home from adistant location via a global computer network. Conventional homesecurity systems simply do not allow the homeowner to monitor theconditions of their home while in a remote location without having athird person visit their home.

In these respects, the Internet based home communications systemaccording to the present invention substantially departs from theconventional concepts and functions of the prior art, and in so doingprovides a system primarily developed for the purpose of allowing ahomeowner to monitor and control various features of their home from adistant location via a global computer network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofhome monitoring systems now present in the prior art, the presentinvention provides a new Internet based home communications systemwherein the same can be utilized for allowing a homeowner to monitor andcontrol various features of their home from a distant location via aglobal computer network.

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be describedsubsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new Internet based homecommunications system that has many of the advantages of the home basedmonitoring systems mentioned heretofore and many novel features thatresult in a new Internet based home communications system which is notanticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of theprior art home based monitoring systems, either alone or in anycombination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a plurality ofcontrol devices positioned within a home, a control unit incommunication with the plurality of control devices wherein the controlunit is connected to a global computer network (i.e. Internet), and adata center having server computers connected to the global computernetwork and in communication with the control unit. The control devicesmay be comprised of various units such as lighting controls, heatingcontrols, moisture controls, freeze controls, pet feeding devices,propane gauge, interior cameras, exterior cameras, security system,smoke alarm and various other devices that can be utilized to monitorand control the home. The homeowner is capable of monitoring andcontrolling the control device within the home by accessing a web pagedisplayed by the data center through a conventional web browser on acomputer. The homeowner can view, monitor and control features of theirhome through the web page such as viewing interior images of their homeor adjusting the thermostat for the interior of their home. In addition,the control unit may notify the appropriate supplier when propane orfood becomes low within the home through the global computer network.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofmay be better understood, and in order that the present contribution tothe art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of theinvention that will be described hereinafter and that will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not beregarded as limiting.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an Internetbased home communications system that will overcome the shortcomings ofthe prior art devices.

A second object is to provide an Internet based home communicationssystem for allowing a homeowner to monitor and control various featuresof their home from a distant location via a global computer network.

Another object is to provide an Internet based home communicationssystem that allows a homeowner to monitor images taken from within oroutside of the home.

An additional object is to provide an Internet based home communicationssystem that allows the homeowner to control features of their homethrough a global computer network.

A further object is to provide an Internet based home communicationssystem that allows the user to monitor, control and modify variouscontrol devices within a home through the Internet.

Another object is to provide an Internet based home communicationssystem that alerts the homeowner through e-mail of various alerts suchas a burglary, fire or temperature extremes.

A further object is to provide an Internet based home communicationssystem that monitors supplies within the home and that can notifyproduct providers of the need for more supplies such as food or heatingfuel.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeobvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects andadvantages are within the scope of the present invention.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this inventionmay be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings,attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings areillustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specificconstruction illustrated and described within the scope of the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block illustration of the present invention showing thecommunication from a homeowner's computer to a control unit within thehome through a global computer network.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the various types of controls that may beconnected to the control unit within the home.

FIG. 3 is a browser containing the control page displaying some of thefeatures of the present invention that allow the homeowner to monitorand control their home through a global computer network such as theInternet.

FIG. 4 is a sample Internet web page displaying various pictures takenfrom cameras within and outside of the home.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present inventionwhen an event occurs at the home.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present inventionwhen the homeowner accesses the control page from a computer through theglobal computer network entering a “request” or a “command”.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit as itconnects to the data center through the global computer network.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing operation of the control unit uponreceiving an event utilizing the various modes that may be programmedinto the control unit.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unitintermittently connecting to the data center via the global computernetwork.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the data centermonitoring the online connections from the control unit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following description is presented to enable any person skilled inthe art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context ofa particular application and its requirements. Various modifications tothe disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied toother embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is notintended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accordedthe widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosedherein.

The data structures and code described in this detailed description aretypically stored on a computer readable storage medium, which may be anydevice or medium that can store code and/or data for use by a computersystem. This includes, but is not limited to, magnetic and opticalstorage devices such as disk drives, magnetic tape, CDs (compact discs)and DVDs (digital video discs), and computer instruction signalsembodied in a transmission medium (with or without a carrier wave uponwhich the signals are modulated). For example, the transmission mediummay include a global communications network, such as the Internet.

A. Invention Overview

The Internet based home communications system 10 broadly comprises aplurality of control devices 40 positioned within a home, a control unit30 in communication with the plurality of control devices 40 wherein thecontrol unit 30 is connected to a global computer network 12 (i.e.Internet), and a data center 20 having server computers connected to theglobal computer network 12 and in communication with the control unit30. The control devices 40 may be comprised of various units such aslighting controls 42, heating controls 44, moisture controls 46, freezecontrols 48, pet feeding devices 50, propane gauge 54, interior cameras56, exterior cameras 58, security system 60, smoke alarms 62, healthmonitoring devices 64 and various other devices that can be utilized tomonitor and control the home. The homeowner is capable of monitoring andcontrolling the control device within the home by accessing a web pagedisplayed by the data center 20 through a conventional web browser 14 ona computer. The homeowner can view, monitor and control features oftheir home through the web page such as viewing interior images 74 oftheir home or adjusting the thermostat for the interior of their home.In addition, the control unit 30 may notify the appropriate supplierwhen propane or food becomes low within the home through the globalcomputer network 12.

B. Data Center

As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, a data center 20 comprised of one ormore server computers is in communication with a global computer network12 such as the Internet utilizing a conventional communications systemsuch as a telephone modem, cable modem, digital subscriber line (DSL)integrated services digital network (ISDN), T1, T3, OC3 or othercommunications system. The data center 20 is capable of receiving,storing and transmitting various types of data related to thehomeowner's home such as text, software, music, sound, temperature data,images 74, photographs, graphics, video, alerts, messages,advertisements, promotions or other information related to a home(collectively, the “data”).

C. Control Unit

As further shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, a control unit 30 is incommunication with the data center 20 through the global computernetwork 12 utilizing a conventional communications system such as atelephone modem, cable modem, digital subscriber line (DSL) integratedservices digital network (ISDN), T1, T3, OC3 or other communicationssystem. The control unit 30 is capable of communicating with the datacenter 20 and other entities 80 through the global computer network 12.The control unit 30 may be comprised of conventional electronicswell-known in the art. The control unit 30 further can be connected tolocal computers within the home thereby allowing the homeowner tocontrol and monitor the home through the control unit 30.

The control unit 30 can be programmed to connect to the global computernetwork 12 either full-time, periodically or only when an event occursfrom one of the control devices 40. As shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings,the control unit 30 may be programmed to connect online to the datacenter 20 based upon a specified period X or upon scheduled intervals.As further shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings, the control unit 30connects to the global computer network 12 and then transmits a“connected” signal to the data center 20 to inform the data center 20that it is connected online. The control unit 30 then may upload anyscheduled or requested data to the data center 20 as further shown inFIGS. 8 and 10 of the drawings. The control unit 30 may also downloadany data from the data center 20 such as commands from the homeowner.After the data has been properly uploaded and downloaded, the controlunit 30 terminates the connection to the global computer network 12while simultaneously resetting the time period X. After time period Xhas passed again, the control unit 30 repeats the above connectionprocess to the data center 20.

As shown in FIG. 11 of the drawings, the data center 20 monitors thelogon activity of the control unit 30. If the control unit 30 deviatesfrom the specified limits of a schedule, the data center 20 may notifythe homeowner that the control unit 30 is not connecting to the datacenter 20 as scheduled and that there may be problems with the controlunit 30.

D. Control Devices

As shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the control unit 30 is incommunication with various control devices 40 such as lighting controls42, heating controls 44, moisture controls 46, freeze controls 48, petfeeding device, grocery bar code reader 52, propane gauge 54, interiorstill and video cameras, exterior still and video cameras, securitysystem 60, alarms (smoke, carbon monoxide, etc.), alerts and othercontrol devices 40. As shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, the control unit30 is in communication with the control devices 40 through various meanssuch as radio, infrared, cable, X10 or other known communication means.

The control devices 40 may be capable of receiving, storing andtransmitting data to and from the control unit 30 depending upon thedesired usage. For example, the lighting controls 42 would mainlyreceive data from the control unit 30 directing the lighting controls 42to turn on specific lighting or to turn off specific lighting. It can beappreciated that the lighting controls 42 may be capable of transmittingdata to the control unit 30 regarding which lights are activated anddeactivated which is forward to the data center 20 through globalcomputer network 12. The various other control devices 40 are capable ofreceiving, storing and transmitting data as required for their specificoperation and programming.

E. Alerts and Events

A specific type of control device 40 may be utilized which providesmerely an “alert” as to specific conditions within the home as shown inFIG. 5 of the drawings. For example, a grocery bar code reader 52 can beutilized to monitor the supply of groceries within the home, a propanegauge 54 to monitor the level of propane within a tank, smoke alarms 62to monitor fire conditions within the home, a security system 60 tomonitor the home for intrusions, and pet feeding devices 50 to monitorthe supply of food for a pet.

When the groceries, propane, smoke, security conditions and pet foodwithin the home reach a preprogrammed threshold level, an alert signalis transmitted to the control unit 30 by the specific control device 40signaling that a threshold condition has been breached. As shown in FIG.6 of the drawings, if the event is a “LOW LEVEL” event, the control unit30 simply logs the event for later reporting. If the event is a “HIGHLEVEL” event, the control unit 30 may notify the data center 20 whichcan then notify the homeowner of the condition via e-mail, pager, webpage, by direct telephone call or other communication means. The controlunit 30 or the data center 20 may also notify auxiliary services 80through the global computer network 12 that the home is in need ofspecific supplies such as food, pet food or propane, or that a securitybreach has occurred so that the appropriate services or goods may beprovided.

F. Modes

As shown in FIG. 9 of the drawings, there can be more than one “mode”for the control unit 30 to have depending upon various factors. Forexample, there may be a “HOME” mode for use when the user is at home, an“AWAY” mode when the user is away from home, and a “SLEEP” mode fornighttime hours. There may also be various “routines” within each of theabove-stated modes such as a “WEEKEND” routine, “WEEKDAY” routine, and a“VACATION” routine.

When an event is detected and reported to the control unit 30 by one ofthe control devices 40 such as the security system 60, the control unit30 first determines which mode it is currently in. For example, if inHOME mode, the control unit 30 may only provide an audible alarm withinthe interior of the home. If in AWAY mode, the control unit 30 may turnon the lights within the home, connect online to signal a securityagency, and contact the homeowner directly. If in SLEEP mode, thecontrol unit 30 may turn on the lights within the home andsimultaneously sound an audible alarm. As can be appreciated, there arevarious combinations that may be achieved with the various modesprogrammable into the control unit 30.

G. Control Page

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 of the drawings, the homeowner can accessdata regarding their home through a conventional web browser 14 upon theuser's computer. The homeowner can access their specific “control page”76 upon the web site by using a user name and password or any otheracceptable means for accessing the data from their home. The controlpage 76 can have various structures, design and information availablefor the homeowner. In addition, the control page 76 may be customizablefor allowing only the desired information upon the control page 76 suchas the customized information 70 portion of the control page 76. Thecontrol page 76 may be customized to display one or more images 74 of aspecific home along with customized information 70 relating to weatherconditions and other information.

The homeowner can select which home they desire to receive data from byselecting the appropriate home within the home selector 72. As shown inFIG. 4 of the drawings, the homeowner can view images 74 of the interiorand exterior of their home through the web browser 14 by selecting thesection containing the images 74. The user can view either still images74 or video images 74 as desired. It can be appreciated that variousother features may be utilized for monitoring the images 74 of the home.

H. Modifying Control Unit Settings

If the homeowner desires to modify any preprogrammed settings within thehome, such as lighting control or thermostat control, the homeownersimply selects the desired feature upon the control page 76 of thedesired home as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 of the drawings. The homeownermay then enter the desired data into the computer 16 which istransmitted to the data center 20 which forwards the informationdirectly to the control unit 30 which transmits the data accordinglymodifying any previous settings. This process continues until the userlogs out of the control page 76.

I. Data Manipulation

The control unit 30 and the data center 20 constantly monitor datareceived from the control devices 40 during usage. The data accumulated,such as gas and electricity consumption, may be compiled to locateinconsistencies and deviations. For example, if the electricityconsumption within the home increases by 10% over a period of time awarning may be provided to the homeowner informing them of thedeviation. It can be appreciated that various other types of datamanipulation may be utilized with the present invention.

J. Control Unit Security

It is an essential feature of the present invention that the controlunit 30 always connects to the data center 30 and that the control unit30 cannot be directly connected to for preventing unauthorized access tothe control unit 30. As shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings, when thehomeowner accessing the control page 76 enters a “REQUEST, “COMMAND”, or“ORDER” the data center 20 sends a “connect” command to the control unit30. If online, the control unit 30 will then establish a directconnection with the data center 20 thereby allowing the control unit toconnect only to the authorized data center 20 and not an unauthorizedparty.

K. Operation

In use, the user programs the desired settings into the control unit 30either directly at the home or via the data center 20 through anexternal computer 16. As shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, when acondition within the home reaches a warning level (i.e. an “event”) suchas low propane, the control unit 30 sends an alert to the data center 20through the global computer network 12. The data center 20 may notify anauxiliary service such as a fire department or propane store informingthem of the home's condition. The data center 20 would also providerelevant information to the auxiliary service regarding the home such asthe owner's name, telephone number, address of the home and otherrelevant information. In addition, the data center 20 may also send analert to the homeowner through various types of communication means suchas e-mail, pager, warning upon the control page 76, personal call orother communication means.

The homeowner may connect to the data center 20 through a conventionalweb browser 14 or other software program through a computer 16 as shownin FIGS. 3 and 7 of the drawings. The homeowner may have a home that isshown as a default upon the control page 76. However, the homeowner mayalso select a home to view information about if they have more than onehome connected to the data center 20 with a control unit 30. Thehomeowner may then select which home they desire to either “request”information about or provide a “command” to. If the homeowner simplydesires to receive information about a home, they can select the itemthat they desire to receive information about such as the interiortemperature of the home or images 74 within the home. As shown in FIG. 7of the drawings, the data center 20 transmits a “connect” command to thecontrol unit 30. If the control unit 30 is online and receives theconnect command, the control unit 30 then transmits a connected signalto the data center 20 thereby establishing a secure connection to thecontrol unit 30. The data center 20 may then request from the controlunit 30 the desired information if not currently updated. The controlunit 30 then uploads the requested data to the data center 20 andreceives any commands from the data center 20 that the homeownerpreviously programmed into the data center 20 through the control page76. The data center 20 then transmits to the homeowner the desired datafor viewing.

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of thepresent invention, the same should be apparent from the abovedescription. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the mannerof usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise ofthose skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations andrelationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in thespecification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

Index of Elements for Internet Based Home Communications SystemEnvironmental Elements

10. Internet Based Home Communications

11.

12. Global Computer Network (Internet)

13.

14. Browser

15.

16. User's Computer

17.

18.

19.

20. Data Center

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30. Control Unit

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

40. Control Devices

41.

42. Lighting Controls

43.

44. Heating Controls

45.

46. Moisture Controls

47.

48. Freeze Controls

49.

50. Pet Feeding Device

51.

52. Grocery Bar Code Reader

53.

54. Propane Gauge

55.

56. Interior Cameras

57.

58. Exterior Cameras

59.

60. Security System

61.

62. Smoke Alarms

63.

64. Health Monitoring Devices

65.

66.

67.

68.

69.

70. Customized Information

71.

72. Home Selector

73.

74. Images

75.

76. Control Page

77.

78.

79.

80. Auxiliary Services

We claim:
 1. An Internet based home communications system, comprising: acontrol unit in communication with at least one control device, whereinsaid control unit is capable of being in communication with a globalcomputer network; and a data center in communication with said controlunit through said global computer network, wherein said data centerprovides a control page through said global computer network for a userto access, said control page including a home selector section allowingsaid user to select between multiple homes.
 2. The Internet based homecommunications system of claim 1, wherein said control unit providesalerts to said data center when a restriction is violated.
 3. TheInternet based home communications system of claim 2, wherein said datacenter provides alerts to said user through a communication means. 4.The Internet based home communications system of claim 3, wherein saidcommunication means is comprised of e-mail.
 5. The Internet based homecommunications system of claim 3, wherein said communication means iscomprised of a notice upon said control page.
 6. The Internet based homecommunications system of claim 1, wherein said at least one controldevice is comprised of at least one interior camera.
 7. The Internetbased home communications system of claim 6, wherein said at least onecontrol device includes at least one exterior camera.
 8. The Internetbased home communications system of claim 7, wherein said interiorcamera and said exterior camera are capable of providing video images.9. The Internet based home communications system of claim 8, whereinsaid at least one control device further includes at least one lightingcontrol, at least one temperature control, at least one moisturecontrol, at least one freeze control, at least one pet feeding device,at least one grocery bar code reader, at least one propane gauge, atleast one security system, at least one smoke alarm and at least onecarbon monoxide alarm.
 10. The Internet based home communications systemof claim 1, wherein said at least one control device includes a securitysystem.
 11. The Internet based home communications system of claim 1,wherein said control page is customizable.
 12. The Internet based homecommunications system of claim 1, wherein said control unit isprogrammable from said control page by said user.
 13. The Internet basedhome communications system of claim 12, wherein said control unitcontrols said at least one control device.
 14. The Internet based homecommunications system of claim 1, wherein said control unit accessessaid global computer network at periodic intervals.
 15. The Internetbased home communications system of claim 1, wherein said data centerstores still images and video images received from said control unit.16. The Internet based home communications system of claim 15, whereinsaid data center provides an image gallery for said user to viewcontaining said stored still images and said video images.
 17. TheInternet based home communications system of claim 1, wherein said atleast one control device is capable of receiving data, storing data andtransmitting data through said global communications network.
 18. TheInternet based home communications system of claim 1, wherein said datacenter forwards said alerts to an appropriate auxiliary service.
 19. TheInternet based home communications system of claim 18, wherein saidalerts contain home information, wherein said home information includesaddress and homeowner information.
 20. An Internet based homecommunications system, comprising: a control unit in communication withat least one control device within a home, wherein said control unit iscapable of being in communication with a global computer network; a datacenter in communication with said control unit through said globalcomputer network; a control page provided by said data center throughsaid global computer network for a user to access; and wherein saidcontrol page includes access by said user to more than one home througha home selector section, and wherein said control page is customizable.21. The Internet based home communications system of claim 20, whereinsaid control unit provides alerts to said data center when a restrictionis violated.
 22. The Internet based home communications system of claim21, wherein said data center provides alerts to said user through acommunication means.
 23. The Internet based home communications systemof claim 22, wherein said communication means is comprised of e-mail.24. The Internet based home communications system of claim 22, whereinsaid communication means is comprised of a notice upon said controlpage.
 25. The Internet based home communications system of claim 22,wherein said control unit controls said at least one control device. 26.The Internet based home communications system of claim 20, wherein saidat least one control device is comprised of at least one interiorcamera.
 27. The Internet based home communications system of claim 26,wherein said at least one control device includes at least one exteriorcamera.
 28. The Internet based home communications system of claim 27,wherein said interior camera and said exterior camera are capable ofproviding video images.
 29. The Internet based home communicationssystem of claim 28, wherein said at least one control device furtherincludes at least one lighting control, at least one temperaturecontrol, at least one moisture control, at least one freeze control, atleast one pet feeding device, at least one grocery bar code reader, atleast one propane gauge, at least one security system, at least onesmoke alarm and at least one carbon monoxide alarm.
 30. The Internetbased home communications system of claim 20, wherein said at least onecontrol device includes a security system.
 31. The Internet based homecommunications system of claim 20, wherein said control page includes ahome selector section allowing said user to select between multiplehomes.
 32. The Internet based home communications system of claim 20,wherein said control page is customizable from a conventional webbrowser.
 33. The Internet based home communications system of claim 20,wherein said control unit is programmable from said control page by saiduser.
 34. The Internet based home communications system of claim 20,wherein said control unit accesses said global computer network atperiodic intervals.
 35. The Internet based home communications system ofclaim 20, wherein said data center stores still images and video imagesreceived from said control unit.
 36. The Internet based homecommunications system of claim 26, wherein said data center provides animage gallery for said user to view containing said stored still imagesand said video images.
 37. The Internet based home communications systemof claim 20, wherein said at least one control device is capable ofreceiving data, storing data and transmitting data through said globalcommunications network.
 38. The Internet based home communicationssystem of claim 20, wherein said data center forwards said alerts to anappropriate auxiliary service.
 39. The Internet based homecommunications system of claim 29, wherein said alerts contain homeinformation, wherein said home information includes address andhomeowner information.
 40. An Internet based home communications system,comprising: a control unit in communication with at least one controldevice within a home, wherein said control unit is capable of being incommunication with a global computer network; a data center incommunication with said control unit through said global computernetwork; and a control page provided by said data center through saidglobal computer network for a user to access, wherein said control pageincludes access by said user to more than one home through a homeselector section and wherein said control page is customizable, whereinsaid control page is customizable from a conventional web browser;wherein said control unit provides alerts to said data center when arestriction is violated; wherein said data center provides said alertsto said user through a communication means; wherein said alerts containhome information, wherein said home information includes address andhomeowner information; wherein said at least one control device iscomprised of at least one interior camera and at least one exteriorcamera, wherein said interior camera and said exterior camera arecapable of providing video images; wherein said control page includes ahome selector section allowing said user to select between multiplehomes; wherein said control unit is programmable from said control pageby said user; wherein said control unit accesses said global computernetwork at periodic intervals; wherein said data center stores stillimages and video images received from said control unit; wherein saiddata center provides an image gallery for said user to view containingsaid stored still images and said video images; wherein said at leastone control device is capable of receiving data, storing data andtransmitting data through said global communications network; whereinsaid data center forwards said alerts to an appropriate auxiliaryservice.
 41. The Internet based home communications system of claim 40,wherein said at least one control device further includes at least onelighting control, at least one temperature control, at least onemoisture control, at least one freeze control, at least one pet feedingdevice, at least one grocery bar code reader, at least one propanegauge, at least one security system, at least one smoke alarm and atleast one carbon monoxide alarm.